Wednesday, December 14, 2011

This year has caused a paradigm shift in my life. I have become addicted to something. Something I thought would never happen. Addiction happens only to the weak I thought. People who are enabled, and have no self control, but then it crept in. Slowly, day by day it chipped away at my soul, weakening me. Then one day I realised, I am one of those. The addicted. I game therefore I am.

Hi tech!

You know, it wasn't like I had never gamed before, it's always been part of my life. Jake grew up with me playing Sonic while he was on my lap. I have amazing fond memories of playing Wizard, Jumpman and Ghostbusters on my Dad's Commodore 64. Hours, wasted (me too sometimes!) grinding those archaic levels. But I had always been able to walk away and go to something else.

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I'm skuuuuuured!!!!

I also have an awesome time watching (DIRECTING) Chris play games like Dragon Age, Silent Hill, Eternal Darkness, Final Fantasy 7 and all those beautiful games that aren't 2 player. I liken them to interactive movies, where I get to scream "TURN ON YOUR FUCKING LIGHT!!!!" and have the character (Chris) do what I say for once! These have provided me with thousands of hours for over more than a decades worth of enjoyment. They have made me cry, laugh, shriek, jump, and swell with emotions I hardly knew what to do with. They have affected me as much as any movie I've ever watched. They are a completely different experience and aren't nearly as passive as say, watching TV or movies. I love this way of "gaming".

Completely true.

!!!

SHUT UP.

But sometime this year something changed. A switch was flicked. I was getting dangerously close to the edge. Dancing on the razor thin line of casual user. Then it happened. We went away for a little holiday. 4 days, 3 nights of Vancouver Island fun. It was great! A vacation that left me actually relaxed. All but for one thing. I MISSED MY PS3 AND XBOX ALMOST AS MUCH AS MY DOGS AND KID. Ok, who am I kidding. IT WAS MORE. I talked to Jake everyday, but I had NO GAMING. Nothing on my Android phone filled that need. OH GOD THE HUMANITY.

Guiscard is useless. Srsly.

I have suffered for this need. I have endured buggy as shit games (I'm looking at you War In The North), terrible lag, sore thumbs, wrist strain and considerably less knitting (try knitting AND gaming. It's a damned if you do/don't scenario for sure) content. I have skipped social outings, lost sleep and had many game inspired dreams. I have found out that sometimes a 14$ game from the PSN is better than a 60$ game supported by a major studio (ahem WITN AGAIN) and I'll still play them both. Over and over. And over. Frustration, brilliance, actual high fives with my husband and rage quits. All parts of daily life.I wouldn't trade it for anything. Nope. Now if I could just find the time to finish that knitting....